Case Study: How Sportsbet revolutionised fraud prevention with Accertify

Sportsbet, a leading Australian company with over 2.1 million customers, faced significant challenges in mitigating fraud across its platform. The situation was critical, with fraud issues spanning the entire customer lifecycle—from account registration to withdrawals and chargebacks. This case study explores how Sportsbet, a part of the Flutter Entertainment group, strategically collaborated with Accertify to dramatically reduce fraud losses and chargebacks, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer experience.

The challenges

The online wagering sector is unique in its susceptibility to various forms of fraud, which occur round-the-clock. Sportsbet, with its vast array of betting options on international events, novelty markets, and promotions, was particularly vulnerable during peak periods like the Australian Rules Football finals, the National Rugby League series, and the Spring Racing Carnival. The company needed a comprehensive digital fraud mitigation framework that not only addressed financial risks but also countered reputational damage from issues like account takeovers and fraudulent withdrawals.

Strategic partnership

In response to these challenges, Sportsbet turned to Accertify, a subsidiary of American Express, known for its expertise in fraud prevention, digital identity, and chargeback management. The partnership focused on providing real-time insights across the customer journey, aiming to distinguish legitimate activities from fraudulent ones without burdening responsible customers with unnecessary friction.

Key elements of Accertify's solution:

Device Intelligence: Accertify's Device Intelligence capabilities allowed Sportsbet to "fingerprint" transactions, whether on a browser or an app. This technology facilitated risk scoring at various customer journey stages, enhancing the detection and prevention of fraudulent activities.

Post-Authorisation Updates: The solution enabled Sportsbet to make post-authorisation or Strong Customer Authentication updates, ensuring enriched data for subsequent transactions.

Transparent Risk Assessments: Accertify provided transparent risk assessments, enabling Sportsbet to quickly adapt to emerging fraud threats. These assessments were crucial in refining Sportsbet's operational fraud strategy, offering detailed insights for a more robust fraud prevention approach.

John Omond, Customer Integrity Manager at Sportsbet, highlighted the collaborative nature of the partnership, praising Accertify's commitment to understanding Sportsbet's unique business model and fraud risks.

The results

The implementation of Accertify's solutions yielded impressive results. Sportsbet witnessed a significant reduction in fraud losses, which dropped by over 80%, and a decrease in chargebacks by more than 82%. These figures are based on client data from 2023, underscoring the effectiveness of the strategies employed.

Moreover, the collaboration brought about considerable operational efficiencies. Sportsbet could now automate and fine-tune its fraud profiles for both regular and major events, shifting the focus from reactive responses to proactive prevention. This shift not only improved their fraud prevention strategy but also enhanced the overall customer experience.


The partnership between Sportsbet and Accertify illustrates the power of strategic collaboration in combating online fraud. By integrating advanced technological solutions and fostering a deep understanding of the unique challenges in the online wagering industry, Sportsbet has set a benchmark in fraud prevention. The case of Sportsbet serves as a compelling example for other companies facing similar challenges, demonstrating that with the right approach and tools, it is possible to significantly mitigate fraud risks while ensuring a seamless customer experience.